Rockets Aim for a Miracle, Visit Phoenix to Face Suns
Death Valley. Composed Composers. First of Two.
Houston rides a five-game losing streak into the NBA’s version of Death Valley, Footprint Center, where the Rockets will battle the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night. After starting the season neck-and-neck with the Warriors for the NBA’s best record, the Suns have distanced themselves since Houston last saw Chris Paul and company. Phoenix has had two separate double-digit winning streaks this season, and along with Golden State, have the best home record in the league. Saying tonight’s opponent for Houston is tough is a giant understatement. Especially given the current predicaments of the league as everyone approaches intermission.
It’s difficult to stay composed and focused with a rare vacation on the horizon for players who rarely get more than a two or three days off to spend time with family during the regular season. These guys are human beings. Even though LeBron James, The Greek Freak, and certain players may appear robotic to onlookers, everyone in the league is human. And whether you’re heading to Cleveland for your first All-Star appearance, or excited for that extra vacation time, it’s only human to be distracted at this moment in the NBA season. Only a few teams have the discipline to fight through these times, known as the “Dog Days” of the season. And one of those teams happens to be the Phoenix Suns. Phoenix is tied for the current longest winning streak (six games) in the West with Memphis and Utah. The Suns also played at home last night, beating the Clippers in a close game. Phoenix is one of the best clutch teams in the NBA, so even if the Rockets keep this game close, Houston could be in store for a late problem.
So, at least the Rockets have the rest advantage. But that’s about all favoring Houston’s side tonight as the squad faces CP3’s laser-focused Suns. And they won’t have that tomorrow, as tonight is the first of a back-to-back for the sqaud before the break. Kevin Porter Jr. is questionable with an illness, so the Rockets may be even more short-handed than usual. Which brings queasiness with the likes of CP3, Devin Booker, Mikal Birdges, DeAndre Ayton, and more. The Suns boast one of the deepest teams in the league, and they’re loaded with too many weapons for most opponents. If Houston can play hard, and with a sense of purpose, they have a chance. However, they haven’t shown that discipline during their current five-game skid. The Rockets also need to have a red-hot shooting night if they want any shot of pulling off the biggest upset of the NBA season.
Footprint Center: Phoenix, Arizona
Jersey Colors:
Houston Rockets (15-41): White
Phoenix Suns (47-10): Purple
Tip-Off: 8 PM CT
TV: AT&T Sportsnet SW, NBA League Pass